National Republican., 1887-07-26
SENATOR RANSOM.
QUO Bundred and Twenty bouquets
for the North Carolina School
Tenphars


said to be one OF the shrewdest aud most
acute politicians IN his state. He is always
on the lookout for a chance to make friends
Of those who have political and family in
fuence. lie cares nothing for social ties or
friendship; 1t is all politics with the polite
senator from the Tar Heel state. lie mas
but few confidants. He treats every man
alike. He is always the same Chesterfield
to all, unless he Is ifritated by some po)r
deserving man or woman who wants his In
fence to secure for them a small place under
the government. He is friendly aud cordial
with those whom he knows, often taking
their arm in friendly strolls along the broad
avenues and shady streets OF the city. lie
has q great weakness for looking in show
windows, and is often to be seen, as II OBJ
lyious to all other surrounding things,
gazing into the gorgeous store windows
along the avenues.
His happicst mood Is when he finds some
North Carolina politicians, his friends, In
the city. lie always lavishcs his politcness
and attention upon them. lie Invites them
to call at the Senate and see hin. Their
cards are always answered with promptn.ss
by the senator, who appears With extended
hand and a pleasant smile. lie invites
them on the floor OF the Senate, which they
think the highest honor that can be paid au
American citizen. lie takes special palms
to Introduce them TO other leading senators
as his special friends aud the lcadlag peo.
pie Of bis state. lie makes his frifnds feel
happy because their senator has spoken so
complimentary Of them 10 other statesmen.
Since Cleveland has been In oillce he
spends much OF his time In the capital city
watching the administration aud introduc-
Ing his visiting constituency to the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet.
lie has two faithful friends IN the city,
who keep guard over him, to see II all his
wishes and political points are carefully
carried out. They are ready, day or night,
to obey his call as faithfully rs Il District
fireman is to answer the alarm Of fire bell.
They are both In Office, one at the Senate,
the confidential friend OF the scrgeant-at-
arms, and the other in the House OF Repre-
sentatives. They keep bin posted from
both ends OF the capitol. 1t has often been
asked how Ransom could control House
patronage, and why he, as Democrat,
could keep his coniidant In such respon-
sible position with a Republican Senate.
These two persons form the senator's po-
lticaI and social staff at the capitol, aud
follow him by day and by night at the capt.
tol and on the street, in the hotel lobby aud
in bis private rooms; his sentiments are
theirs; they plan, think, and work for his
political promotion constantly.
The senator has never made many
speeches In the Senate on any important
question. He often pairs with other SEN
ators or lodges bis vote in questions which
are likely to be doubtful as to their future
popularity.
He entertains all persons who visit the
city from bis state; he takes special delight
in telling what great things he has done for
his dear people, and what a strong ana
popular administration Cleveland has
built up.
An evidence of his political sagacity can
readily be described by the following Incl
dent which happened few weeks ago:
The senator stood In the front door Of an
avenue hotel watching for his two faithful
friends who had been delayed by some un-
foreseen circumstance. AS his friend, Capt.
BuDsby, arrived, who won this glorious
title for services In the late war as captain
of quartermaster train, he exclaimed /:
81 want you to get me 100 corsage
captain, "senator, what do you want with
so many, and so large number v' With
q decided tone Of voice the senator bade the
captain 60 to the botanical garden, the
agricultural department, the propagating
gardens, and to all the florists in the city,
and never stop until he had filled his order.
Your wishes shall be carried out, sir,''
said the faithful captain.
AT once he started on his torrid trip with
the mercury standing at 0 o'clock well up
| in the eighties. He at last arrived at the
| botanical gardens almost exhausted from
| heat. After cooling down he stated his
wants to Superintendent Smith, and the
| genial Scotchman replied: "Ah, hea; /
would be most happy to comply with yea
drawn his quota of flowers this year" The
captain drew Q deep sigh, aud exclaimed:
| "Oh, bades! Have got to start out again
| through this sweltering sun and burning
heat, all to satisfy the vanity of my senator?''
| The captain finally mustered up courage
| and made a start for the agricultural de-
partment; travelling through the botanical
gardens and across the Smithsonian grounds
he at last reached the agricultural depart.
ment in a fainting condition. Here he met
another Hnd-hearted, cannie Scotchman,
Prof. Saunders, superintendent Of the gar.
den and grounds. He finally reached the
professors room, being almost overcome
by heat. Cold applications were
placed on his heat and stimulant from
Prof. Wiley's chemical laboratory wa,
administered, after which the captain re
gained his normal condition. When hi
could speak he addressed the mild man
nered superintendent as follows: 81 have
called to get 100 bouquets for Senator Ran
som; he is compelled TO have them.r
my gracious, stranger" said the aston
ished superintendent, as he dropped hi
pipe and pushed both hands over his bale
head, "does the senator want the earth ant
around 1t ~ sob, no, my dear sir; he ha
made only a modest request for flowers
"Ah, yea" said the venerable Scotchman
1--WE only grow cuttings and shrubs here tC
give away. The flowers grown here are t,
ornament the private residences Of tn
commissioners and the desks Of the lad,
clerks and seed packers. | am sorry can
not accommodate you." By this time tn
| captains countenance had fallen beloy
zero, although his normal temperature wa
near blood heat. "What on earth shall
doPn said he. "Go to the prOpagatin
gardens" said the professor, ''and see /
MIR. Brown won't help ye out"
The weary messenger started on his for
lorn mission again. He got there attel
another hot walk. He found Mr.. Brown Il
be another liberal-handed Scotchmau. Tb
captain by this time was tired, exhausted
and completely worn out, rs much so as
he bad been working Democratic ballo
box at q Republican election precinct. Z"
called to see II you would be so kind AM
obliging and considerate Of senator's feel
iDgs and wishes and future success as /
give him flowers enough to make one hun
dred and twenty large bouquets "Wh
do you want them forY" said Mr.. Brown
"The senator In question is one of Presiden
Cleveland's most intimate personal and pc
litical friends.n "What is the senator
nameW said Mr.. Brown. 'It Is no less
person than Senator Ransom" "Ah, hea
| know the name. have sent MIN flow
ers before, but never such heavy orde
at one time. l will help you ou
my friend" After looking over th
orders for the day he said: "Teil the senate
the flowers win be on time" ethan
heaven for your kindness,n said Capt
Bunsby. "Mr. Brown, will never forg,
YOU" The captains face was lighted wit
broad smile, and in o most cheerful an
satisfactory manner he said; "If can eve
do you a good turn at the senat
command me. The senators and th
sergeant Alarms, the pages and u
messengers-all Of the Senate will /
delighted to serve you, for am mighty
power up there. Good day, Mr.. Brown,
will see you later.n AS the captain struc